Police debunk claim of officer supplying arms to bandits

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a widely circulated social media claim accusing a senior officer of collaborating with criminals.

The allegation, shared by Adamu Garba Zango, a lecturer at Baze University, alleged that a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State was arrested for supplying firearms to bandits.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the NPF, revealed that the individual has been identified as Kingsley Udoyen, a civilian who was arrested in Akwa Ibom State in January 2019 for impersonating an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

According to the statement, Udoyen reportedly used fake police insignia and an unlicensed pistol to defraud and intimidate victims.

The statement clarified that the Kaduna State Police Command had no connection to the allegations, describing the social media post as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage the Force’s reputation.

The statement said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses and clarifies a false and misleading claim circulating on X (formerly Twitter), made by one Adamu Garba Zango, a lecturer at Baze University.

“Mr. Zango, while recirculating a picture which has been in the internet archives since 2019, alleged that it was that of a Deputy Commissioner of Police serving at the Kaduna State Police Command who was arrested for supplying firearms to bandits and kidnappers. He further shared the said image to support this baseless claim.

“It is pertinent to state that the individual depicted in the shared photograph is not a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force. Investigations have revealed that the man in the image is one Kingsley Udoyen, a civilian who was arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command on January 2nd, 2019 for impersonating an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

“At the time of his arrest, Udoyen was found to have been using a fake police rank to defraud and intimidate unsuspecting members of the public. Items recovered from his residence included an English pistol without ammunition and portraits of various police ranks.

“It is also important to point out that there is no connection between the Kaduna State Police Command and the false allegations propagated by Mr. Zango. The Nigeria Police Force condemns the spread of false information, which not only tarnishes the image of the Force but also undermines public trust and safety.”

The NPF also warned that the dissemination of unverified claims violates defamation and cybercrime laws, adding that legal action may be taken against individuals or entities involved.

The Force reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice while urging Nigerians to rely on official police communication channels for accurate updates.